Is trucking prestigious?

[tropolis]

Heard conflicting opinions on this. Heard drivers saying people come up to them and talk about how to become a driver, others saying they are looked down upon.

[Uturn2001]

From what I have seen the general public, for the most part, views trucks and truck drivers as a somewhat necessary evil. You have those at either end who really respect truck drivers or really hate them too.

Part of this bad reputation is there just because trucks tend to be slow, loud, and "get in people's way". The rest of it is earned thanks to the idiots out there who run illegal, speed, tailgate, don't bathe frequently, are foul mouthed, get into accidents because of their stupidity, etc.

Is trucking prestigous? Hell no!

Do it because you love it, have no other prospects, or you've got serious mental problems. Otherwise, get a real job like Western Sizzlin'.

[Rev.Vassago]

Trucking is definitely prestigious. After all, it made me into a celebrity.

[JeffTheTerrible]

Being a truck driver only makes you prestigious in the eyes of hustlers, con artists, and truck stop prostitutes.

Oh, yeah.. and little kids who want to hear the air horn.

[GMAN]

I don't know about prestigious, but almost everyone has a friend or relative who is or has been in trucking. Although most people don't want to admit it, trucking affects everyone in this country. In that respect, it should be prestigious. I still find those who are in awe of the big trucks. Many don't see how we can maneuver these monster trucks. I think there are many who envy drivers. They would like to drive around the country ans see the sights. They don't really understand what this business entails.

[bigtimba]

Heard conflicting opinions on this. Heard drivers saying people come up to them and talk about how to become a driver, others saying they are looked down upon.

As often as I get saluted by the adoring public? You bet it's prestigious!

[Syncrosonix]

Heard conflicting opinions on this. Heard drivers saying people come up to them and talk about how to become a driver, others saying they are looked down upon.

As often as I get saluted by the adoring public? You bet it's prestigious!

do they often tell you "you're #1" in sign language? i get that a lot!

[zipy46]

Heard conflicting opinions on this. Heard drivers saying people come up to them and talk about how to become a driver, others saying they are looked down upon.

I doubt we are even thought of at all....

[str.whl.hldr]

Heard conflicting opinions on this. Heard drivers saying people come up to them and talk about how to become a driver, others saying they are looked down upon.

Is trucking prestigious?

The quality of service "workers" truckers get from the worlds oldest profession answers that one.

[Crunchyknees]

chics with no front teeth really dig truck drivers!!

[bjs24]

Heard conflicting opinions on this. Heard drivers saying people come up to them and talk about how to become a driver, others saying they are looked down upon.

Think about it, everything in everyday life we have a hand in delivering. Without trucks and drivers this world stops or at the very least slows way down. The industry has its problems, drivers have their complaints but in this rookies opinion yes it is prestigious and im proud to be a driver. Just one rookies opinion happy Labor Day all BJS

[bikerboy]

hell no, most of the public hates trucks!

even tho trucks are the most important part of the economy, if trucks stop, the world stops, i wish the public would understand that!!!!!!!!!


Trucks must go or the world stops, they are the most important vehicles on the road, yet they have all thse BS laws to deal with!!

i wish trucks were treated more like trains, trains are almost never at fault in a collision, and have the right of way, wouldn;t it be nice if trucks always had the right of way too??

way to many BS laws, i wish it was like the old days, no laws, just hammer down driver, so what if a few people get killed along the way, "just the way she goes" it was there time to go

[turnleft]

It's what you make of it, who cares what other people think. How do you define prestigous? Is it the amount of money you make, hell no. I've had the burger flipper, or cashier, or any other job that pays just a bit above minumin wage that went the extra mile and demonstrated proffesionilsm, dedication, a commitment to customer satisfaction, and they are prestigous to me, because of thier attitude ,charachter, etc. On the other hand I've met doctors, and nurses and other so called PRESTIGOUS proffesionals who IF I saw drowning, I'd throw them a 5 gallon bucket of water because they are inadept, callous, and IMHO not worth the salt on balls. If your gonna do something do the best you can,learn it, excell in it, work hard, and reap rewards.

[Roadhog]

Uniquely Prestigious!!! .... Road Scholar? :? :P
Lot's of know it alls on the CB or trucking forums.
People look to us to always deliver.

[Skywalker]

It's what you make of it, who cares what other people think. How do you define prestigous? Is it the amount of money you make, hell no. I've had the burger flipper, or cashier, or any other job that pays just a bit above minumin wage that went the extra mile and demonstrated proffesionilsm, dedication, a commitment to customer satisfaction, and they are prestigous to me, because of thier attitude ,charachter, etc. On the other hand I've met doctors, and nurses and other so called PRESTIGOUS proffesionals who IF I saw drowning, I'd throw them a 5 gallon bucket of water because they are inadept, callous, and IMHO not worth the salt on balls. If your gonna do something do the best you can,learn it, excell in it, work hard, and reap rewards.

Well said.

Prestige is an illusive commodity..... I personally see little in the way of prestige in any position... there is a lot of "arrogance born of presumption" on the part of some people.

I do what I do to make money.... not make "points" with anyone. I enjoy what I do, and it pays the bills.... so it meets my needs.

To me... "prestige" is merely a mental comfort zone....where one truly doesn't concern themself with what others think...because one is happy and content with their life..... 8)

[dieselpower]

this is a wonderful profession to be in. sure it has it bad side which job doesn't, but for the most part it is o.k. You can make decent money driving a truck for cpm but you must keep the left door closed. so many drivers want the weekend off or want take a 300 mile load because they think that is no money but when i drove over the road i didn't refuse any loads because i am paid to drive and thats what i did i drove. you must understand any profession you get. dont let they hype about pay benefits and whatever else they tell you sell you on taking the job. treat recruiters like car salesman we know that salesman is for the most part is just trying to make a buck and he is going to say what he needs to say to sell you that car. the recruiter is no different promise you $4 a mile when you hire on you drive for .04 cents a mile. i have been in this game for 19yrs and yes i have seen some good times as well bad times but i love trucking. this is the only profession i have ever done i have driven a truck since the tender age of 18 now 37 and i wouldn't trade for anything else.

[GMAN]

I don't think it is important whether a profession is prestigious or not. You can earn a decent living and most of us enjoy what we do. If you look at other professions, most people dislike their jobs. We have those who don't like this business, too. Most people change careers at least once during their working lives. Trucking continues to provide a decent livelihood for my family and offers the flexibility that I need. I don't look for prestige. I look at the money. However, I would not want to take money over enjoying what I do. One great thing about this business is that you aren't discarded when you reach a certain age. You can continue working as long as you can pass the physical and keep your mvr in good shape.

so many drivers want the weekend off

Yeah, who'd want to be home every weekend? Better to spend it in the truck.

[Orangetxguy]

so many drivers want the weekend off

Yeah, who'd want every weekend off? Better to spend it in the truck.

Well.........Gee.......LBJ/CFM...You have so many great answers!


My goodness!


When will YOU be notifying the America Trucking Association that "They" need to get their member companies on board with fair pay and weekends off for all truckdrivers?

Getting all Corporations on board with "Fair Pay" and weekends off is gonna be needed to. After all...they are the ones whom pay the bills.

The Corporations which manufacture and produce being on board "Weekends Off" and "Fair Pay" would go a long ways to making truck driving the type of job you like to think it should be.




LOL...after you get ALL truck drivers, weekends off...YOU can explain to your family why the things they want YOU to provide for them, are not available anymore!










dang it.......i'm bored silly and taking it out on a silly azzed truckdriver!